MarkCE
08-19-2003, 08:23 AM
Hello gang,
My new TMJ doc is really pushing an MRI on me, and I'd really rather not do it because its so noisy (I have severe hyperacusis and tinnitus) and I just can't risk making myself worse with more noise exposure.. I asked him if there was something else I could do, but he said if I don't do an MRI he won't be able to treat me.
Is there some other diagnostic tests that rival the data an MRI can give that isn't near as noisy? I keep seeing tomogram on this site, what exactly is that? Or the neuromuscular approach, do they do things differently than traditional TMJ docs? I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and do the MRI or search for a different dentist.
Thanks,
Mark
My new TMJ doc is really pushing an MRI on me, and I'd really rather not do it because its so noisy (I have severe hyperacusis and tinnitus) and I just can't risk making myself worse with more noise exposure.. I asked him if there was something else I could do, but he said if I don't do an MRI he won't be able to treat me.
Is there some other diagnostic tests that rival the data an MRI can give that isn't near as noisy? I keep seeing tomogram on this site, what exactly is that? Or the neuromuscular approach, do they do things differently than traditional TMJ docs? I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and do the MRI or search for a different dentist.
Thanks,
Mark
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crystalll
08-19-2003, 01:28 PM
Hi Mark,
I believe that a tomogram is probably the next best thing to an MRI. It's a form of x-ray, and will only show the relationship of the condyle to the joint. It will not show soft tissue such as the disc. An MRI is ultimately the best way to diagnose TMJD.
Crystal
I believe that a tomogram is probably the next best thing to an MRI. It's a form of x-ray, and will only show the relationship of the condyle to the joint. It will not show soft tissue such as the disc. An MRI is ultimately the best way to diagnose TMJD.
Crystal
MarkCE
08-19-2003, 04:29 PM
That's the thing actually. My hyperacusis debilitates me it is so severe. If an MRI makes it worse, which is a very real possibility, I honestly have no idea how I'll live. It's alot more complicated than just "not wanting to be around noise for forty minutes," it's more along the line of dealing with the possible repercussions of that noise exposure.
It will definitely help diagnosing the exact problem, but could also negatively impact my life for some time to come if I get it done. That's the predicament I'm in and the choice I have to make would be alot easier if there were some other means I could go about assessing the TMJ problem to get treatment started.
It will definitely help diagnosing the exact problem, but could also negatively impact my life for some time to come if I get it done. That's the predicament I'm in and the choice I have to make would be alot easier if there were some other means I could go about assessing the TMJ problem to get treatment started.
sunshine123
08-19-2003, 05:47 PM
My TMJ was diagnosed with every test BUT an MRI and I'm getting results with a lower splint and PT now. My problem is muscular. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Sue
saaraah
08-19-2003, 06:14 PM
i've been told that tomograms of the TMJ's are pretty good. with the MRI, it shows the disc and soft tissue whereas the tomogram doesnt.
maybe having JVA [joint vibration analysis] conducted could tell the dentist what's going on with the disc and within the joint.
im sure that other people here have an idea what could be substituted.
- saaraah.
maybe having JVA [joint vibration analysis] conducted could tell the dentist what's going on with the disc and within the joint.
im sure that other people here have an idea what could be substituted.
- saaraah.
TiffanyAnn
08-19-2003, 09:44 PM
Hi Mark:
When I had my MRI done they gave me ear plugs which helped immensely. And maybe if you can get your dentist or doctor to give you some sedation during the MRI that might help also. But the ear plugs helped me greatly.
Tiffany
When I had my MRI done they gave me ear plugs which helped immensely. And maybe if you can get your dentist or doctor to give you some sedation during the MRI that might help also. But the ear plugs helped me greatly.
Tiffany
MarkCE
08-19-2003, 09:58 PM
I would definitely have to wear earplugs and muffs if I went through the MRI. I hope they even allow muffs, I don't see why they wouldn't.
I appreciate all the suggestions so far, I'll inquire about the tomogram and the joint vibration test, thanks a bunch.
I appreciate all the suggestions so far, I'll inquire about the tomogram and the joint vibration test, thanks a bunch.
totallyconfused
08-19-2003, 10:31 PM
Mark,
I know there is also something else--an arthrogram or something. Someone else help me out here. It is the one where they inject dye into the TMJs and then do the test. Doesn't sound like too much fun either. I don't know that it is as good as the MRI, but if you can't do the MRI because of the sound it might be something you would consider.
Good luck,
TC
I know there is also something else--an arthrogram or something. Someone else help me out here. It is the one where they inject dye into the TMJs and then do the test. Doesn't sound like too much fun either. I don't know that it is as good as the MRI, but if you can't do the MRI because of the sound it might be something you would consider.
Good luck,
TC
CherylLynn24
08-20-2003, 01:14 AM
Mark,
Maybe try your own earplugs in combination with the earphones that they'll supply you with....just a thought.
Cheryl
Maybe try your own earplugs in combination with the earphones that they'll supply you with....just a thought.
Cheryl
Cymy Sue
08-21-2003, 06:11 AM
Hi Mark,
I understand your problem completely. I've always had incredible hearing. Most people think I watch TV with the sound off.( I can hear it perfectly well) I've been told with hearing tests, that there is no rating for my hearing and I hear frequencies most humans don't hear. I've also been told this is better than the hearing loss that some people suffer with TMJD.
During bad flare-ups with the TMJD and particularly after surgeries it became a painful condition and they told me it was Hyperacusis. The severity has come & gone over the years. It's not quite so bad now. But, I can't stay in the room with normal people watching TV. If they can hear it, it's painfully loud to me. I can not go to Entertainment Events, such as Concerts, Plays, Ice-Skating (which I love) Movies, or Sporting Events. In church I have to sit way in the back away from the speakers and sometimes I have to leave. Surround Sound was a most dreadful invention for me. The first time I went somewhere they had it, I couldn't get out fast enough, and that was a long time ago. Crowded spaces with a lot of people talking drives me crazy. I can hear pieces of many conversations and my brain nearly explodes. Certain frequencies seem worse than others. I've been avoiding these situations for years. The last concert I went to was "ELO" over 20 years ago. I couldn't stay. I knew then, it would be the last.
To have Hyperacusis and Tinnitus together is one of the most awful things I've experienced. I had learned to live in an almost silent environment and then the Tinnitus came a couple of years ago and I had to have some kind of noise to keep "it" from driving me crazy. I had to learn to live with White noise or low music all of the time. It was a hard adjustment.
Just a little background information to let you know I do understand. I don't believe mine has been as bad as yours consistantly, as well as some of the other members. I have read that it is totally disabling for some people.
I've had several MRI's in the last 16 years, head face, neck, and now, lower back. In my area, they are not as loud as they were and the earplugs and earphones do help. I've heard that the "Open MRI is not so loud". That might be an option.
I had to have MRI's and Tomograms to get an accurate diagnosis of the disc & joint damage. The TMJD problems were causing the Hyperacusis to be worse.
For you, it does sound like a "No win situation", but appropriate treatment for TMJD, can sometimes, help the Hyperacusis and Tinnitus.
An Arthrogram would be the last procedure I would consider. It usally aggravates the joint terribly and everyone that I know whose had one, says they would never do it again. It's awfully painful.
Maybe you could speak to the people beforehand who would be doing the MRI and there might be some other precautions they could take to insulate you from the noise.
My Hyperacusis Flare-ups and Tinnitus have both improved incredibly with treatment that is working for my TMJ problems. It's most likely not the same for everyone, but a Neurotologist told me this would happen. I thought it was hopeless and didn't believe him, but he was right.
I hope you can find a way to get the tests you need, without causing futher problems.
Good Luck & Take care,
Cymy Sue
I understand your problem completely. I've always had incredible hearing. Most people think I watch TV with the sound off.( I can hear it perfectly well) I've been told with hearing tests, that there is no rating for my hearing and I hear frequencies most humans don't hear. I've also been told this is better than the hearing loss that some people suffer with TMJD.
During bad flare-ups with the TMJD and particularly after surgeries it became a painful condition and they told me it was Hyperacusis. The severity has come & gone over the years. It's not quite so bad now. But, I can't stay in the room with normal people watching TV. If they can hear it, it's painfully loud to me. I can not go to Entertainment Events, such as Concerts, Plays, Ice-Skating (which I love) Movies, or Sporting Events. In church I have to sit way in the back away from the speakers and sometimes I have to leave. Surround Sound was a most dreadful invention for me. The first time I went somewhere they had it, I couldn't get out fast enough, and that was a long time ago. Crowded spaces with a lot of people talking drives me crazy. I can hear pieces of many conversations and my brain nearly explodes. Certain frequencies seem worse than others. I've been avoiding these situations for years. The last concert I went to was "ELO" over 20 years ago. I couldn't stay. I knew then, it would be the last.
To have Hyperacusis and Tinnitus together is one of the most awful things I've experienced. I had learned to live in an almost silent environment and then the Tinnitus came a couple of years ago and I had to have some kind of noise to keep "it" from driving me crazy. I had to learn to live with White noise or low music all of the time. It was a hard adjustment.
Just a little background information to let you know I do understand. I don't believe mine has been as bad as yours consistantly, as well as some of the other members. I have read that it is totally disabling for some people.
I've had several MRI's in the last 16 years, head face, neck, and now, lower back. In my area, they are not as loud as they were and the earplugs and earphones do help. I've heard that the "Open MRI is not so loud". That might be an option.
I had to have MRI's and Tomograms to get an accurate diagnosis of the disc & joint damage. The TMJD problems were causing the Hyperacusis to be worse.
For you, it does sound like a "No win situation", but appropriate treatment for TMJD, can sometimes, help the Hyperacusis and Tinnitus.
An Arthrogram would be the last procedure I would consider. It usally aggravates the joint terribly and everyone that I know whose had one, says they would never do it again. It's awfully painful.
Maybe you could speak to the people beforehand who would be doing the MRI and there might be some other precautions they could take to insulate you from the noise.
My Hyperacusis Flare-ups and Tinnitus have both improved incredibly with treatment that is working for my TMJ problems. It's most likely not the same for everyone, but a Neurotologist told me this would happen. I thought it was hopeless and didn't believe him, but he was right.
I hope you can find a way to get the tests you need, without causing futher problems.
Good Luck & Take care,
Cymy Sue
MarkCE
08-21-2003, 07:24 AM
Thanks so much for your reply Cymy Sue.
We have an Open MRI facility about 5 miles from my home, so if they are indeed more quiet it wouldn't be much trouble getting to it.
I hate the limitations these two symptoms impose on me, but I think getting proper treatment for my TMJ is the only real shot I have at improving my ear symptoms. I absolutely want to give myself every ounce of a chance at getting the TMD resolved or at the very least maintained, and I think the general consensus is that an MRI is on that path.
I'm sorry you have to deal with these things as well, and regardless of severity, it's a very hard thing to accept and adapt to; and even moreso while dealing with other hardships.
Thank you all for your thoughts.
Mark
We have an Open MRI facility about 5 miles from my home, so if they are indeed more quiet it wouldn't be much trouble getting to it.
I hate the limitations these two symptoms impose on me, but I think getting proper treatment for my TMJ is the only real shot I have at improving my ear symptoms. I absolutely want to give myself every ounce of a chance at getting the TMD resolved or at the very least maintained, and I think the general consensus is that an MRI is on that path.
I'm sorry you have to deal with these things as well, and regardless of severity, it's a very hard thing to accept and adapt to; and even moreso while dealing with other hardships.
Thank you all for your thoughts.
Mark